Coin-control mechanism for electric circuits



i Nov. 17, 1925. I f 1,562,421

A. W. HARRISON ET AL COIN CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Original Filed July 14, 1922 A 1 A L- TIO z cg. Z.

5 @i/aw OVWWJ.

Patented Nov. l7, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,562,421 PATENT oFricE.

ARTHUR W. HARRISON, OF LOS ANGELES, AND FLOYD O. CHAFFEE, OF EAGLE ROCK,

CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS '10' FRED J';

GOGGINS, OFLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA,

AND FRANK W. KINNEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COIN-CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Application filed July 14, 1922, Serial No. 574,997. Renewed October 5, 1925.

To all whom it may. concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR W. HARRI-I anism whereby an electric circuit can be maintained closed for a J predetermined length of time by and after the introduction of a suitable token, such as a coin.

A further object is toprovide a coin control means and a combined switch and main motor circuit whereby the motor in the circui't can be started and stopped after running a predetermined ,period.

Other objects will be made manifest in the following specification of'an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the-accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 1s a vertical section and partial elevation of the coin control instrument .shown connected to an electric circuit in diagram.

Fig. 2 is a plan and section of the coin contro Fig. 3 is aside elevation of an instrument, such as a washing machine having a motor to be controlled for a given time.

In the present embodiment of the invention the device consists of a shell 2 of flat cylindrical form and through which extends centrally a shaft 36 having a suitable gear train connection 4 with a-motor 5 which is in the present instance utilized with awashpartial horlzontal ing .machine mechanism. i

-Itis desirable to enable the running of the motor for a predetermined length of time and then to automatically stopit, and this is accomplished by arranging within the shell. 2 a disc or carrier 6 which is se cured on, the shaft 3 and rotates at a rate of speed determined according to the period of operation desired. The shell 2 is pro vided with a coin intake chute 2 and with a coin outlet or receiver 2*. The disc or carrier 6 is provided with diametrically opposite coin pockets 7 substantially of duplicate exit 2. To that end, there is provided adjaconstruction and arrangement. Thedisc is 5 preferably made of insulating material, and the opposite sides of the pockets are provided with contact bars 8 and 9.

The contact bar 8 is electrically connected to the ring 8 carried by the disc, and this f is surrounded by a ring 9 electrically connected to the contact bar 9. The coin slots 7 are radially disposed and have outer open months so that when one of the pockets is in a position vertically above the shaft 3, a check or coin 10 can be deposited in the pocket and will serve to complete a circuit by concurrent engagement with the contact bars 8 and 9. Y

Constantly bearing upon the circuit rings 8 and 9 are brushes'8 and 9 which are shown as mounted upon a carrying arm or bracket 11 extending across the face of the 'coin carrier 6. The brushes 8 and 9 are connected to main service wires 12 and 13, and these wires are electrically connected to the motor 5 and to a switch coil 14; the switchv circuit and the motor circuit being shown as in parallel. The motor circuit includes the armature actuated switch arm 15 which is disposed adjacent to the coil 14 so that when a coin is deposited in the uppermost coin pocket, a circuit is instantly closed in the main wires 12 and 13 and the coil'14 is energized and the switch arm 15 attracted with theresuIt that the motor 'circuit 5 is closed and the motoi is started.

The operation of themotor serves through the transmittingand speed reducing mechanism i to very slowly rotate the shaft 3 and out through the shell opening 2. As the coin clears. the shell and falls, the circuit is automatically broken. 1

It is a feature of the invention to provide for the continuance of the current flowing to the motor should the carriedv coin 10 break contact acrossthe contact bars 8 and 9 as may occur when the coin moves down" toward the 105 cent the exit 2 a contact finger or blade 16 extending inwardly and being designed to engage a contact plate 17 of which there is one will be seen that as each coin is brought down below the center of the shaft 3, the motor circuit is maintained complete by the engagement ot' the contacts 17 with the contiguous finger 16 even tin-nigh the circuit closing coin 10 may break circuit contact with the carrying bars 8 and 9.

' After the coin has been inserted and the motor circuit closed, the motor will be operated for a period of time determined by the length of time it-requires to carry an inserted coin from the uppermost position to its lowermost position in the shell. As the coin carrier 6 moves around, the circuit will be maintained until the contact plates 17 respectively move outof contact with the finger 16 and at that instant the switch coil 1-1.

wvill be deenergized and the switch arm 15 released and the circuit broken.

Various modifications and changes may be resorted to Within the spirit of the invention as claimed. v

What is claimed is:

1. In a circuit controlling means, a motor and itscircuit and a switch in said'circuit, an insulated token carrier having opposite coin recesses and spaced contacts secured to the token carrier in said recesses and electrically connected to a second circuit, means in the second circuit'for-closing the switch,

and driving means connecting said motor and said carrier, whereby an inserted token closes the second circuit to start the motor and the carrier is driven thereby.

2. In a coin controlled circuit closer, a carrier having rings for constant contact'with terminals of the given circuit, diametrically opposite sets of coin receiving contact members on said carrier, said members connected to the circuit rings on the carrier, the circuit being closed by an inserted coin engaging the opposed members of a set.

In a coin controlled circuit closer, a carrier having rings for constant contact with terminals of the given circuit, diametrically opposite sets of coin receiving contact memberson said carrier, said members connected to the circuit rings on the carrier, the circuit being closed by an inserted coin engaging the opposed members of a set, and an auxiliary short circuit device for each set of members.

4. The combination with. a washin machine motor, of a circuit for said motor and an electrically operated switch in said circuit, an insulated token carrier having coin recesses and spaced contacts secured to the token carrier in said recesses, a second circuit electrically connected to said contacts, means in the second circuitfor closing said switch, and driving means connecting said motor and said carrier, whereby an inserted token closes the second circuit to start the motor and the carrier is driven thereby.

5. In a coincontrolled circuit closer, an insulated token carrier having a plurality of recesses,.electric terminals secured to each recess, circuit rings connected to the carrier, a connection from opposite terminals to each ring and an auxiliary shortcircuit comprisinga plurality of contacts on the carrier, a lead therefrom tot-a ring, and a fixed contact leading to the opposite side of the circuit.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification.

ARTHUR W. HARRISON. FLOYD O. CHAFFEE. 

